The film adaptation of Stephen King's novel, The Long Walk, finds itself relevant in the current year
In the dystopian USA, a chilling competition takes place annually, where only one out of 100 young men can survive – a competition known as "The Long Walk." This film adaptation, directed by Francis Lawrence and released on September 11, 2025, remains faithful to the spirit of Stephen King's original novel, capturing the tone and the anxiety of the participants.
The story centres around Ray, a young man who befriends the eloquent Peter (David Jonsson) during the competition. Their friendship forms a small community of solidarity among the men, known as the "Musketiers." The duo's friendship plays a significant role in the film, with their dialogue often focusing on topics such as family, friends, and their visions of the future.
The rules of the competition are ruthless. Anyone who leaves the course or falls below the required speed of six kilometers per hour three times will be executed. The deaths in the competition are accepted as necessary, and the sacrifices are honoured. The film contains numerous scenes of decline, including sudden, quick deaths and slow deterioration.
The Death March in the novel stands for war itself, as a deadly lottery that repeatedly throws generations of young men into danger. In the film adaptation, the emphasis is on the importance of camaraderie, even in a version of war reduced to just the march. The "Musketiers" do not have an escape, but camaraderie is all that remains for the men.
The character of the Major, the leader of the competition, was created by Stephen King under his Richard Bachman pseudonym during the Vietnam War era. The film's dialogue between Ray and Peter often highlights the stark contrast between their visions of the future – one hopeful, the other fatalistic.
The film takes place between the bloody peaks of the march, with the computer-animated blood spatter often quickly forgotten. The youngest and least experienced man in the competition is shot in the head in front of the others after falling back due to a harmless cramp, serving as a stark reminder of the competition's ruthless nature.
The film's release coincides with the authoritarian drift of the United States, allowing for timely references in the film. Francis Lawrence's direction skillfully portrays the desperation and resilience of the participants, making for a thought-provoking and engaging watch.
